Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 1983)
"A, Gandhi Gathering" Shriners scheduled for May Day confer bv Chariot Goodmacher Gandhi, the major motion picture produced and directed by Richard Attenborough, was awarded eight Academy Awards A p ril I I . The movie has also touched millions with a glimpse at the life and philos ophy o f G an d h i, the man who showed that active non-violence is a fact, not just a theory. Viewers everywhere are beginning to ask how non-violence can affect their own lives. Professor and Gandhian scholar David N ew hall o f Portland State U niversity notes the Gandhi film has significantly “ broadened (he base of discussion” about alterna tives to the use o f force in both our personal and collective lives. C u r iosity about the life of Gandhi and the principles he practiced is at a new high according to Newhall, who will present a seven-part documen tary entitled M ahatm a at 4 p .m ., Sunday, May I. A J3 donation to benefit the Fellowship of Reconcili ation will be asked at the showing at Koinonia House, 633 S.W . M ont gomery. Produced by the Gandhi National Memorial Fund and the Films Divi sion o f the Indian government, Mahatma provides a wider perspec tive on Gandhi than was possible in the shorter Attenborough film. M a hatma contains many film clips o f Gandhi and his followers and a de tailed narrative. A ttenborough, whose film script was reviewed for authenticity by the Gandhi National Memorial Fund, the Gandhi Peace Foundation, and others, used M a hatma as one of his prime sources of information, Newhall said. That the Academy A w ard winning Gandhi has triggered a con siderable amount of discussion is re flected in increased demand for showings of Mahatma Dr. Newhall has shown parts of the film at num erous churches and schools, including Lincoln and Wilson High Schools. A trip to the Oregon Coast is also scheduled. According to Newhall, much Of the impact of Gandhi is being felt by those who have long recognized the need to act for peace yet have been passive. Gandhi’s tactic o f non-vio lence was anything but passive, ac cording to N ew h all. For Gandhi, non-violence meant an active ener getic campaign in which the rebel seizes the initiative. Gandhi himself always managed to keep the imperi alist British guessing about what he would do next. Gandhi’s guiding principles of ac tive non-violence and truth com bined to form the concept of ” Sat- yagraha” ot truthforce. By seizing the initiative using nonviolent tac tics to force change, the rebel seeks to show his/her righteousness in contrast to the actions o f the op pressor. How does Gandhian non-violence relate to situations such as El Salva dor, where the oppressor is much harsher than the British were in In dia? Gandhi, according to Newhall, never kidded himself or others that non-violence is without a cost. The im portant point is always to seek to do more through peaceful means and to realize that in any revolution, violent or not, people are going to get hurt. Achieving non-violence is an incremental process for indivi duals and nations alik e , Newhall pointed out. For Gandhian non-violence to succeed, it is vitally important that an aggressive action campaign begin as soon as an injustice is known, Newhall noted. By doing so the forces of justice define the terms on which the rest of the struggle is to be played out. Utilizing dramatic acts to arouse the attention of third par ties is also vitally important, as Gan dhi demonstrated by rallying world opinion (even that o f the British working class) to his cause, the pro fessor said. Empowering people at the grass roots was a major concern o f Gan dhi, who is shown in Mahatma tell ing villagers: “ I am not a helpless creature. Neither are you.” According to Newhall, that the Indian people liberated themselves from their oppressors through an energetic, non-violent campaign is now inspiring people in the U.S. and Europe to undertake similar cam paigns to rid the world o f the threat of nuclear weapons. Shriners of Mina Temple *68 and auxiliary, the Daughters o f Isis o f M ina C ourt *142, held a one day joint conference. The conference was under the direction o f the Shrine Deputy o f the State of Ore gon, Thomas R. Vickers, assisted by the Isis Deputy o f the State, Doro thy E. Vickers. MAHATMA GANDHI The Tem ple and C ourt were greeted by the Most W orshipful Grand Master o f Prince H a ll M a sons Thomas J. Brown and by the Grand W o rth y M a tro n o f Prince Hall Grand Chapter Helen E. Riley. James W. Calvin, Illustrious Poten tate o f M ina Temple and Frances Mina Tampla »SB and Mina Court »142 Odom, Illustrious Commandress of Mina C ourt, presented their agen das for the year. Members attending the confer ence participated in workshops, training programs and instructional With PNB’s Do-It-Yourself accessories, working on your telephone wiring is a snap. You a m add an outlet for an extension. Modernize your system. Even wire your entire house for phones. It’s quick, easy, and you’ll save a lot. Everything you need (along with step-by-step instructions) is at your nearby PNB Service Center. And now through May 15, w ere offering a free wire stripper*! it’s a $3.95 value) when you buy two or more “Do-It-Yourself’ items. You’ll need a wire stripper to rewire, so you’ll save some money before you even s ta rt (It also serves as a handy ruler, a staple holder, and more.) Stop by a PNB Service Center soon. And see how much our installment plan c m save you. ’ «*»* suocMn IM ------------------------------------------------------ Pacific Northwest Bell Service Center J "Good nonwnM n good N u o in ditguiw .” - Jodi Billings sessions and heard reports on youth activities sponsored by the organiza tion. • PorXscrtzMas .’05 ’O’ '0 Sf WWvnuKXl • PonUn<|/J«K«fl t a r ” • M'lrKM*« ’ TOZOST MriouqMir BMI I.KH/W t a r h C e t a • PorlWnd IJowrMown 600 • V»rv Ouv«” S’O
